The Congress overwhelmingly passed a new package of sanctions against Iran on Wednesday, August 1 that aims to punish banks, insurance companies and shippers that help Tehran sell its oil, Reuters reported.
The legislation, agreed to by senior lawmakers of both parties, "seeks to tighten the chokehold on the regime beyond anything that has been done before," said Republican Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
The bill now heads to the White House for President Barack Obama's signature. It builds on oil trade sanctions signed into law by Obama in December that have prompted Japan, South Korea, India and others to slash their purchases of Iranian oil.
The United States, European Union, and other Western nations are trying to stop Iran's suspected pursuit of nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
"We are taking another significant step to block the remaining avenues for the Iranians to fund their illicit behavior and evade sanctions," said Democratic Senator Tim Johnson, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee.
The Senate passed the sanctions bill unanimously and the House passed it on a vote of 421-6.
